Bill requiring all workers to pay union fees advances to governor’s desk

The state Senate has sent the "fair share" bill to Governor Gray Davis, which would require certain California State University and University of California employees to pay mandatory union fees.

The measure, SB 645 by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D- San Francisco, was given final approval on a 22-14 vote.

The legislation generally would apply to members of collective bargaining units, like the CSU CFA, but would exclude some workers, including supervisors and UC faculty, according to Burton’s staff.

Under the bill, covered workers would either be union members and pay dues or pay so-called "fair share" fees to unions even if they opted not to join. Workers also would be permitted to rescind the fees through the election process.